A Tops cake and Tim Hortons coffee greated about 50 people who were on hand for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new Tops on Main Street in Newfane on Monday. (PHOTOS BY HEATHER N. GRIMMER / ENP PHOTOGRAPHER)

BY SCOTT LEFFLER
scott.leffler@eastniagarapost.com

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Several Tops employees watched the grand opening ceremonies.

NEWFANE — Local big brass from Tops Markets were on hand Monday morning for the official unveiling of the newest addition to the company, the former Budweys on Main Street.

Tops President and CEO Frank Curci said customers should be pleased with what's new and what's not new at the Newfane store.

"This store has been an important part of the Newfane community for many years and we plan to continue the tradition of providing shoppers with an outstanding shopping experience," Curci said to the 50-or-so people who gathered at the ribbon cutting. "Customers will see many of the same familiar faces, providing the exceptional service that they have come to expect."



Newfane Supervisor Tim Horanburg made brief comments at the grand opening celebration.

The store's new manager, Kris Ponzi has been with the company for 24 years. She said most of the store's 72 employees are the same as those who worked for the store prior to it becoming a Tops. The company chose to keep the current employees and will even be hiring about 15 more employees, she said.

Town Supervisor Tim Horanburg pointed out that the Main Street location serves "not only Newfane, but the northern end of Niagara County."

"Nobody uses it more than me," he said — half joking. "I know more of the workers by name and I'm glad they stayed on."

In a more serious note, Horanburg said, "We have two Tops, two Tim Hortons, and I'm going to work on us having one hospital."

As part of the grand opening celebration, Tops officials presented $500 checks to four different community groups: the Newfane Lions Club, Miller Hose, the Newfane Community Food Pantry, and the Newfane School District.

Minor changes were made to the 22,000 square-foot store while it was closed for 10 days before reopening under the Tops brand, including interior and exterior signage and decor.

The Main Street tops is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. until midnight.

Tops signage now adorns the front — and inside — of the former Budweys on Main Street.

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